The way it starts this TV version of 'The Other Boleyn Girl' promises to be an interesting viewing. The two Boleyn sisters speak to the camera like in some kind of a modern documentary, or maybe they just confess to their priest? Quick paced editing gives pace and launches well the first scenes setting the action. The view of the Henry VIII and of his relationships is different and original - Henry is softer than the traditional view, less of a serial womanizer but rather a man seeking for tenderness and continuity of his dynasty. The Boleyn clan is seen as involved in a 16th century clans fight for influence. An of course, the two Boleyn women in the middle, the love aspiring and more mature Mary and the ambitious but eventually vulnerable Ann.
Unfortunately the good beginning is not continued at the same rhythm and in the same style. Too soon the film falls back into the good BBC default of historical drama, characterized by good acting driving through kind of a classic Shakespearian intrigue labyrinth, with conservative camera and standard color processing work. When the final scene tries to close back the circle it is too late, the spell is gone and so is - for long already - the interest of viewers who are not hard fans of BBC dramas. This movie is not bad, but it could have been much more and could have overcome the limits of its own genre.
Unfortunately the good beginning is not continued at the same rhythm and in the same style. Too soon the film falls back into the good BBC default of historical drama, characterized by good acting driving through kind of a classic Shakespearian intrigue labyrinth, with conservative camera and standard color processing work. When the final scene tries to close back the circle it is too late, the spell is gone and so is - for long already - the interest of viewers who are not hard fans of BBC dramas. This movie is not bad, but it could have been much more and could have overcome the limits of its own genre.